Watching funeral services virtually is not new. Over 20 years ago, 2.5 billion people tuned in to watch Princess Diana’s funeral at Westminster Abbey. Now the pandemic has brought what was once reserved for royals into the everyday.

Even after COVID restrictions abate, livestreamed funerals will still be around. Virtual services allow mourners who are unable to travel due to age, health, geographical distance, or economic hardship to still pay their respects.

Here are some etiquette tips for anyone attending a virtual funeral service.

Get Set Up Early

Give yourself plenty of time before the service starts to download or open whatever video platform is being used. Make sure your camera is working. Log in 5 or 10 minutes early to make sure that the host has time to let you in. When attending virtually, there is no excuse for being late.

Dress Appropriately

Be mindful of the occasion. Dress as if you were attending in person. Just because you’re watching from home does not mean you should appear on camera in sweats and a T-shirt. Out of respect for the family, put some time and thought into your appearance.

Mute the Microphone

If the host hasn’t already muted all attendees, mute your microphone. Background noises or conversations near you will be picked up by your microphone and broadcast to everyone attending the services.

Turn on the Camera

Funerals are intended to provide a sense of community, a tangible expression of support for the deceased’s family. That’s all the more reason to turn your camera on.

Be Present

Pay attention to the service, and do not do things may be distracting to others. Shut down other applications, turn off text notifications, and silence your phone to avoid the temptation of multitasking.

Use the Chat Feature Wisely

If available, the chat function allows you to post your condolences or share a short story. Keep in mind that everyone can see your comments, and in some cases, the services are recorded for later viewing. Avoid using chat functions to have side conversations with individual attendees.

Be Patient

Livestream technology can sometimes be problematic. If you are experiencing technical problems with the service, politely make a comment in the chat box. The funeral home staff or host family will do everything in their power to correct the issue as quickly as possible.